Friday, August 26, 2011

Finnish Electro-Grindcore maven Huoratron (pronounced whore-a-tron) is the solo project of Finland's Aku Raski, who began by using two Game Boy consoles to produce experimental and dark electro. Since then, he's risen from the digital underground and updated his gear while maintaining the pure black sound and raw aesthetics.

If you can imagine Kid 606 with a tune and bit of metal churning through his veins you can kind of picture where Huoratron is coming from. He's chaotic, dark, and sure to write the soundtrack of the end.

Huoratron is now back (from the dead??) with an intense new single, "Cryptocracy" which is an early taste of his forthcoming full-length that will see release in 2012 on Last Gang Records.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Miami is exploding with talent. It's amazing how much difference a decade can make. Once a musical wasteland for anything that wasn't related to dance music, the Magic City has come back with a vengeance.

As if to prove that point, The Jacuzzi Boys have just released their sophomore album. And rather than slumping, the Jacuzzi Boys have cranked up the amps, tuned the guitars and let it rip. Breaking out of the garage and fully embracing their power pop roots The Jacuzzi Boys have created one heck of a record with Glazin'.

For Glazin’, the group traveled to Key Club Studios in Benton Harbor, MI where they spent twelve full days recording and mixing. The Jacuzzi Boys used this as an opportunity to dig deeper into the production of each song. “If the first record was the Everglades, the follow-up is Dadeland Mall,” says guitarist & vocalist Gabriel Alcala.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

St. Lucia is a recording artist based in Brooklyn, NY. However, his musical journey began far from here. The vocalist/producer/multi-instrumentalist began his musical journey in his home country of South Africa. Much of his music is inspired by old family photos and the exotic environment in which he first began cultivating his talents.

His debut double AA-side, All Eyes On Me, is now out on HeavyRoc - the China Town, NY label that brought you The Knocks and Alex Winston. Dreamy and kind of like old Peter Cetera records, this is a record that goes for your heart and reaches the stars. St. Lucia is all about heavenly pop that should be canonized.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Austin’s Wiretree began as the solo recording project of singer-songwriter Kevin Peroni. After releasing the LP Bouldin in 2007, Peroni recruited Joshua Kaplan on guitar, Rachel Peroni on bass and Daniel Blanchard on drums to solidify the project.

The group released their sophomore effort Luck in 2009, finding it’s way on various year-end best of lists (Blurt, Absolute Powerpop) while being labeled Blurt Magazine’s “Best Kept Secret.” KLRU featured the band on Austin City Limit’s “Satellite Sets” in January 2011. The band is currently supporting their 3rd full length album Make Up.

A departure from their previous efforts, Make Up was recorded in the studio with very few overdubs with the goal of capturing natural raw performances. They've done just that with music that is powerful and vibrant.

Friday, August 19, 2011

The New Investors are a brand new group from Copenhagen formed by four young investors with a passion a for sophisticated pop music, everlasting virtues, life affirming investments and French wine. So when the Eurozone totally collapses into economic chaos, at least they have something to fall back on.

Sounding like a psychedelic trip through the 60's via indie pop from today the band cover all their bases and then some.

To quote their bio (which incidentally is written like a business portfolio), "When listening to the New Investors you might feel that you listen to modern music while the attentive listener's thoughts might be sent back to the sophisticated and timeless pop music of the sixties. With the New Investors you will invest in both long term and in the immediate infectious returns."

Indie as a commodity on the exchanges? If New Investors have their way...yes.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Back in February we told you about Team Genius and back then we noted that they would be releasing records like mad men. Well, they didn't lie, they've been busy and have indeed released new music...again. This is, uh, genius if you ask us.

Team Genius' simple take on indie pop at times sounds like the Cars, Weezer, and Papas Fritas. And that's not a bad thing.
With hooks large enough to reel in a whale shark, and understated simplicity that makes their songs irresistible it's almost impossible to NOT like this band.

Their latest EP, POP Songs, is no disappointment and picks up where they left off back in the winter. Check out their latest tunes and then join Mensa team along w/the band!

Tim & Becca from Tim & Sam's Tim & The Sam Band are also the fantastical Golden Fable. A much easier name to remember Golden Fable are anything but a tall tale.

This dark, piano led single will haunt your dreams and leave you in a cold sweat. With Becca's otherworldly voice leading the way, you'll find yourself crossing over into the great unknown and not wanting to come back.

Lets just put it this way, if "The Chill pt 2" is the light at the end of the tunnel...we might as well all just head toward it. Available as a digital download or a hand crafted work of art, this record is worth every penny.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

British electronic-infused post-rock faves 65Daysofstatic announce the North American release of their latest album We Were Exploding Anyway in a special deluxe edition that also features the recent Heavy Sky EP. The expanded set will only be released in North America and hits stores on 2xCD, LP and Digital Download on October 25th, 2011 via Monotreme Records.

The deluxe 2-CD edition includes bonus 7-track Heavy Sky CD EP. The vinyl edition is heavyweight 180 gm vinyl (dark blue and white versions) and includes a free copy of the album CD, poster and digital download coupon for the Heavy Sky EP.

We Were Exploding Anyway is a game-changer from a band that has only ever followed its own rules, and now that they've broken them, they have absolutely no intention whatsoever in repairing them. That's the way it should be.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Clap, yes you read the correctly, formed in the Summer of 2009 in Atlanta’s Old 4th Ward by Josh Hughes, Amanda Morelli, Sam Wagstaff and Tyler Walters. How they come up with that name is anyone's guess much less why....we'll leave that question unanswered.

With influences ranging from baroque to blues to psychedelic, a result of the varied musical traditions of each member, the band really sound nothing like any of them. While paying homage to the scattered garage, psychedelic sounds of years gone by, The Clap has managed to mold them into something extremely familiar but kind of unique with just enough confused distortion to make you think twice.

The band has recently finished recording The Operation 7" and will release it on September 6th on Atlanta's Double Phantom Records.

Monday, August 15, 2011

"Nameless // Faceless," is the closing track on Rapids! forthcoming Fragments EP. Written in the band’s cramped and claustrophobic rehearsal space during the winter of 2010, Fragments perfectly soundtracks the daily struggle of life in a sleepy coastal town. With its gushing honesty and striking maturity, Rapids! proves themselves worthy of our time.

The band recorded in three separate studios during the making of the EP. The job fell on the shoulders of producer/mixer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Idlewild) to collect up the fragments and blend them into one. As the name suggests, each song breaks away into its own bundle of fiery angst. But it’s when pieced back together that Fragments reveals its true force, with each peak and trough taking you on a journey through a troubled mind.

As a special treat, Russell out of Bloc Party and Pin Me Down has remixed, "Nameless // Faceless," and did one heck of a job of doing it. It's all dance floor ready!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Little Girls began in January 2009 as the solo recording project of multi-instrumentalist Josh McIntyre who, at the time, was one-half of Toronto shoegaze duo Pirate/Rock. Josh posted two songs on the web under the pseudonym Little Girls to preserve his anonymity.

In less than two years, McIntyre has released five singles, two EPs and an LP on a variety of independent labels. Meanwhile, Little Girls has been touring as a four-piece band and has trekked from one corner of the country to the other. Now, Little Girls are preparing to release their new album, Cults, on September 6th on vinyl and download and it should be a doozy.

Taking the Mary Chain's template, adding a bit of synth to it, fuzzing it all out, giving the songs copious amount of lithium and then filtering it through the Amazopopotron3000 Little Girls come up with some rather amazing tunes. Just check out the cover of John Maus', "Believer," for an example.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Big Wave Riders hail from Helsinki, Finland. They are inspired by waves, echoes and experimental rhythms with an electronic touch.

Influenced by the music that touched them most when they were teenagers, of which they have difficulty naming, Big Wave Riders are yet another fantastic Scandinavian group that seem to have mastered the art of finely crafted pop music. They're pretty humble about it though. To quote Big Wave Riders “Our music is not trying to fit into any certain genre. We make music without mathematics or accurate calculations. The songs are fast, slow, rhythmic and with variety”

Perhaps a bit like The Drums with their "surf," influence and maybe even a bit like them because of their sound (slightly a stretch), the guys are armed with fantastic songs and "Behind These Walls," proves it.

Filling in the gap that was kind of left behind by The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Black Light White Light have that huge sounding, multi part harmony, Scandinavian pop thing down pat. You can hear it all over their strangely named single, "Glorious Bastards," and more than likely on their debut album, Infrared Daylight.

The album, recorded in North Hollywood, CA with internationally acclaimed producer Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dandy Warhols, Von Bondies) Infrared Daylight shows a solid grounded inspiration in late 1960’s American psychedelic rock all with that brilliant Scandinavian twist. Due out in September, it's bound to be a psych pop trip to the stars.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

To celebrate 60 (yes, 60 releases!) Gung-Ho! Recordings chose no one other than Luke Walker to claim that landmark catalogue number. Luke has been releasing on the label for sometime now producing tracks and remixes for label mates alike. The likes of Him and Greg Churchill have been there since day one and have only gotten better ane better over the years.

Tough Love is a proper, bonafide club tune in the purest sense fully loaded with the necessary verve to get you moving without a second thought. Backed up with two mixes from the likes of Attaque and the aforementioned Greg Churchill as well as another original, "Pressure," the four songs are utterly amazing. In a world of trendy electronic wobbles, it's nice to know that someone out there still knows how to make amazing choons. 60 releases in and it's a record like this that proves why Gung-Ho! Recordings are still around and will be for a long time. Essential stuff.

As Thrill Jockey prepares to enter its 20th year in 2012, Trans Am is also preparing a look back into the Futureworld. This fall, Trans Am will tour in the US performing the classic album in its entirety, and Thrill Jockey will reissue a newly-remastered Futureworld on LP, with two digital bonus tracks including an outtake from the original sessions mixed by James Murphy.

The re-mastered Futureworld LP will be available in a limited edition on September 13, and is available now for pre-order. The LP will be packaged in a high gloss jacket with high gloss inner sleeve, and for the first time will include a download card for the album and two digital bonus tracks...
"Nazi/Hippie Empire"- Studio outtake from the Futureworld session, mixed by James Murphy
"Now You Die, Thriddle Fool!" - originally released by Strength Magazine on a split 7"

Trans Am'sFutureworld tour came about when organizers of the Via Pittsburgh Festival specially requested a performance of the band's dystopian masterpiece...

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Chicago DJ Chrissy Murderbot has given Kyle Andrews' "Make Me Feel Human" the royal treatment, remixing not one but two separate versions of the track.

As Murderbot explains, "When I first heard the track, I realized pretty immediately that I wanted to make two versions of my remix—one with the full vocals that's more like a pop song for people to listen to in the car at work or whatever, and then a more dubbed-out, stripped-down mix for a slutty 6am sunrise loft party dance floor madness."

Monday, August 8, 2011

Over three years in the making, New Zealand’s Lil’ Chief Records is proud to present the debut album by Princess Chelsea, the stage persona of composer Chelsea Nikkel. Lil’ Golden Book is the first collection of what her label describes as “the soundtrack to an old Disney movie meeting Kraftwerk fronted by Enya in a 60’s production of ‘Les Miserables’ set in space.”

More to the point, Lil’ Golden Book is full of stories about growing up in modern New Zealand. Everyday situations surrounding drinking, the Internet, and petty jealousies are presented as some kind of bizarre layman’s fairy-tale. The juxtaposition of Princess Chelsea’s lush, orchestral arrangements and the sardonic wit of her lyrics make for an intriguing listen.

Estate Sale Boat is the Orlando,FL-based indie yacht rock brainchild of Sean Moore (Viernes), Carlos DeSoto (The Rules), Mike Ryan, and Anthony Cole. Inspired by a forgotten genre of smooth and unapologetic academic music, they were able to transform their sound into a realm never before heard.

The members of Estate Sale Boat are gearing up to release their debut full-length record, Coast. Judging by "Financial Children," Coast will be the sort of record that you and your parents can listen to together at a fondue party. Breezy, laid back, and melodic to the point of sugar oozing out your speakers, "Financial Children," isn't nearly as grim as the title would imply. So while you enjoy some melted cheese turn up the yacht rock, done some polyester, plan an estate sale on a boat, and wait for Coast.

Portland-based dream-pop outfit Radiation City have announced a coast to coast US tour behind their debut full-length, The Hands That Take You, out September 27th with Tender Loving Empire (Typhoon, Loch Lomond).

Radiation City originated when founding members Cameron Spies and Lizzy Ellison first put their heads together founding DIY cassette tape label, Apes Tapes, among a wellspring of other projects. Running a record label put the duo in a position of musical saturation, and after participating in multiple bands and side-projects, they decided to sit down and do it right and that's where Radiation City comes in. Now with their debut album in the proverbial can and things all done properly, the band are ready to head out on the highway...

Sunday, August 7, 2011

AIMES, the nostalgia-filled project of electronica musician and DJ/producer Aman Ellis, has managed to create an array of sounds that not only references the late 70's Manhattan disco circuit, but also includes glimpses into the current UK bassline scene.

His debut album, the strangely titled, Your Floor Is Now A Tree is a chillwave, space journey hybrid that can be found somewhere near the edges of our galaxy. It's danceable in an otherworldly sort of way that will free your mind and allow your imagination to run free. The word epic seems appropriate here and I think that's exactly what AIMES was hoping for...to make something larger than life.

MF/MB/ is countryside and city streets, it’s woods and concrete, cigarettes and alcohol, hope and despair, clubs and saunas, autobahn and bad English. It’s the anger and disillusion of performing in Berlin as 18 year olds and then going back to Sweden to play in small pubs in the middle of nowhere for people who’d rather listen to Basshunter. MF/MB/ is a terrible band name. MF/MB/ is self confidence and bad conscience. Lack of money. Good looks. Clothes. Never looking back, always doing the same mistakes. It’s about frequent stupid questions in interviews - “Christine, how does it feel being the only girl in the band?” – and the inability to give the answers those questions deserve. MF/MB/ is a thousand compromises from a million ideas. It’s about filling up empty holes. It’s about staying alive by playing live. The oxygen on stage. Eyes of the audience. The hand claps and the shouts.

MF/MB/ just released their debut album Folded on the Malmo label Adrian Recordings and it's just as confusing as the above paragraph but in all the best possible ways. I have no idea what they're about and apparently they don't either, but it's OK when you can crank out an album as strong as Folded is. So why they seek out some psychiatric help and attempt to figure what it's all about download away.

Bush Doctors are the highly-esteemed, multi-award-winning producers Rennie Pilgrem and Jem Panufnik who are behind two of the most successful indie electronica labels of the last decade: TCR and Finger Lickin’ Records respectively. The duo have not only individually DJ’d the world over, leaving a wake of hugely successful club smashes between them, but also played their part in defining the dance scene as we know it. They now join forces in a whirlwind of black magic and sinister grooves that will send shivers up your spine and cold fear into the hearts of the funkless.

Concocting evil potions spiced with ‘70s funk and disco and whisking up rhythmic rituals that make young virgins dance like crazed banshees, the Bush Doctors are out to get your soul! You'll pretty much hand it over to them after hearing how they've somehow brought back big beat added more funk and made it bang up to date. If the 90's revival is underway, lets hope these guys are a HUGE part of it...god knows they were around.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Italian DJ and producer, Spiller - sat down to compose his very first tune in 1995, using a home PC and sampler. Nearly twenty years later, Spiller is still at it, creating hit after hit and never jumping on a bandwagon to stay relevant.

His latest single, Pigeonmans Revenge is no different. The single is an epic instrumental track that brings back his original disco house roots and still pushes things forward. The title is a mispelled tribute to the old school house classic by Mike Delgado, and a reference to Spiller's hometown Venice; once a glorious city, now a colony of tourists and... pigeons!

Idaho has been parting the sonic fog to put a finger on the sun since the early 90s, pioneering the sadcore movement along with the Red House Painters, Low, and Codeine. Since the very beginning Idaho has stuck to its musical guns, crafting slow, seductive, rawly emoted songs on trademarked de-tuned 4 string guitars without giving two shits whether anyone was listening or not. As such, this is pure, unpretentious, unaffected rock that Idaho loyalists have been inhaling for nearly 2 decades.

Idaho's new album, You Were a Dick, is Idaho as Jeff Martin and Jeff Martin as Idaho, one in the same and once again solo for this latest outing, the first after a five year hiatus. Recorded at Martin’s home, high up in the wild refuge of LA enclave Laurel Canyon, it includes songs as accessible as Idaho has delivered to date.

As a long time fan, going back to the early 90's, its amazing to know that Jeff Martin is still recording amazing songs and as Idaho, it's a nostalgic trip back. The new songs are stunning and surprisingly easy to latch on to. One listen to the single, "Up The Hill," and you'll see what we mean.

The Moor is like the feeling of comfort found in an old friend you've just met - someone you know right off the bat isn't going anywhere. Their self-titled debut album, out August 23 via Dilettante, is packed with dense turns of oblique, distinct melodies, sonically vibrant images, and dips and swells of familiar obscurity.

The eight songs of The Moor are a haunting concoction of synthesizers, piano, subdued guitars, and mesmerizing vocals, creating a raw wall of sound that evokes and impresses with equal measure. With musical contributions from Josh Klinghoffer (PJ Harvey, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Simon Lord (Simian, Black Ghosts), and Bryan Hollon (Boom Bip, Neon Neon) and finishing touches by mix guru Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom, The Strokes), the swagger of the instrumentation couples with the moody, candid lyrics and the velvet arrangements in a dream-scape of hypnotic rhythms.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Blending synth pop sonics with dream pop ideals, Kites With Lights melds 80's New Wave with 90's shoegaze using 21st century technology to create songs with a clean & clear aesthetic: Electro Pop with a purpose.

A focused extension of 2009's The Weight of Your Heart EP, the modern construct of Cosmonauts finds a place where dream pop becomes the soundtrack for a blissed out dance floor, a rainy introspective day at home or a late night drive with heads bopping to the beat. Soar to the stratosphere of your ear with Cosmonauts.

The Australian moody-pop quartet The Jezabels have been all over the world and back. Upon completing their European tour in September, the four will be returning to the U.S. and Canada in November to tour with the Canadian indie rock band Hey Rosetta!

Somewhere between their relentless touring schedule and having a nervous breakdown, the band hope to put the final touches on their album, Prisoner. If the lead single, Endless Summer is any indication the album will be the best thing that the Cranberries never recorded. A perfect combination of 90's alternative and Ozzy pop the band are bound to cause a stir wherever they may roam.

Is this the end of Computer Blue? Sadly, yes, but the story of Computer Blue has a happy ending which we will tell you about another day. Just look out for something new coming in their place.

Game Boy is the last and only original release that Computer Blue was able to put out before they called it quits. And if you're going to go out, you might as well go out with a bang.

Bang is exactly what Game Boy is all about...this dark throbbing mass of dance music pulsates into oblivion and that's a good thing. So enjoy the end of the Computer Blue revolution before they shut it down for good.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Digits are a dark, minimalist synth pop project from Toronto, Ontario. Created as a one piece unit by Alt Altman, Digits began in late 2009 with the release of his first album Hold it Close.

He released the Lost Dream EP in April 2011, with the yet to be released, Only Affection EP to follow in September, and a second full-length, Get Through, scheduled for November.

Only Affection EP, when it is released will be done so as a free download on his website on September 6, 2011, with the first single "Because It's Wrong."

Broody and slightly spooky, "Because It's Wrong," will stalk you as it hypnotizes you with it's gorgeous minimalism. If this tune is any indication of what the EP is going to be like...we might all need to see someone come September.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Routinesareanelectropopband fromNijmegen, Netherlands.Influencedbylate 80swaveand house,apinch of90's house and Chicago basslines Kellyand Andre began Routines two years ago. Over the last two years the band have refined themselves fromdistortedrapstosoulfulvocals.Earlier thisyearRoutines founda drummer -Jimmi- and have since been working hard on developing a live show.

Bizarrely,Routinesarecurrentlyunsigned. Undeterred by this, theyare working on a newEPto releaseearly September.

The Nocturnes -- the band led by Red Sparowes guitarist Emma Ruth Rundle -- announce the forthcoming release of their second album, Aokigahara.

The Nocturnes are the folkgaze brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Emma Ruth Rundle. While the band began as a duo in 2007 and built a cult following prior to her joining Red Sparowes in 2009, Aokigahara is nonetheless a dramatic rebirth for The Nocturnes. Featuring a revamped quartet lineup, the 8-song album ventures into multiple textures of style and sound that create a lush haze of melody that blends hints of folk, shoegaze, chamber pop, goth and post-rock.

The Los Angeles based quartet has set up a Kickstarter account for special pre-orders, offering original artwork created by Rundle for larger donations in addition to immediate downloads of the album.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Remember the early days of Creation, when they'd release records by Primal Scream and then release records by Pacific for some strange reason. They seemed as confused as to what they should release but whatever they released was good.

Scenic is much like early Creation. They can't decide what they want to be, but whatever they record seems to be fantastic. Based in Australia, Scenic create tunes that tend to be based around their namesake. They write dreamy, airy pop music that just happens to be danceable.

Scenic’s first EP for Future Classic features two blissed out songs ‘Another Sky’ and ‘Endless Days’ and a floor-friendly remix by TheMagician. Judging by the title track, the single is bound to be great.

Having emerged from a smoke filled warehouse to deliver their acclaimed debut album, the genre mashing masterpiece Mega Mega Mega, The Count & Sinden take their work back underground with Mega Mega Remix, a completely new version of the album remixed by some of today’s most exciting new producers.

The original’s riotous mish-mash of global beats, bass, rave stabs and massive pop hooks was one of 2010’s most exciting debuts featuring guest turns from the likes of Katy B, Mystery Jets, Rye Rye and Bashy. Now Mega Mega Remix repeats the trick employing the likes of Canblaster, Lone, XXXy, Krystal Klear, D1 and Hot City to retool the album for dancefloors from Dalston to Rio.

Much as Mega Mega Mega mixed up everything from house, ragga, techno, baile funk, electro and hip-hop to produce something utterly unique, British and of the moment, Mega Mega Remix again pulls together the increasingly global and fast mutating strains of electronic music into a coherent whole.

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MP3s on the POP! Stereo are available for a limited time only and are intended for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, or read about support the artists by actually purchasing their albums, going to shows, and buying their merchandise.

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